Cohen Habben leads Albany to 42-35 comeback win over New London-Spicer

Cohen Habben leads Albany to 42-35 comeback win over New London-Spicer

by

Albany’s Second-Half Surge Secures State Tournament Berth

The Albany Huskies were staring down a 21-point deficit in the Section 6AAA Championship, a hole deep enough to end any team’s season. What followed was a tactical shift that transformed a potential elimination into a 42-35 comeback victory against New London-Spicer. The turning point arrived when senior quarterback Cohen Habben stepped back onto the field to reclaim his role under center.

Habben had been sidelined since an early-season loss to Pierz, leaving the offensive responsibilities to junior Emmett Rushmeyer. While Rushmeyer had steered the team through the remainder of the season, a nagging thumb injury coupled with the team’s urgent need for a spark prompted the switch back to Habben. The result was immediate.

Before the third quarter clock expired, Habben had orchestrated three unanswered scoring drives. He finished the contest with seven carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, including a 63-yard burst down the sidelines that ignited the home crowd and shifted the game’s momentum entirely.

The Mechanics of the Comeback

The Huskies’ offensive resurgence was not a solo effort, but rather a sequence of high-pressure plays that capitalized on Habben’s dual-threat capability. Two drives after his long touchdown run, Habben connected with senior running back Judah Allen on a 31-yard pitch-and-catch. That connection set the stage for an Allen touchdown on the very next play.

Defensive pressure also contributed to the rally. Junior defensive back Charlie Simon snagged an interception that turned the tide, allowing the offense to maintain its pressure. Even when mistakes occurred, the team’s chemistry proved resilient. After Habben fumbled near the goal line, senior ATH Nick Van Heel was positioned perfectly to recover the loose ball, keeping the drive alive.

As the fourth quarter matured, the Huskies leaned on junior running back Hunter Henkelman to hammer home the advantage. Henkelman’s workload increased as the game wore on, and he ultimately punched in the go-ahead touchdowns on consecutive drives to secure the lead for good.

“Cohen is a great leader on the field, and he brought all of us up. No matter the score, we never gave up once this year. We lost our quarterback, we lost our head coach, we lost one of our best players on defense and offense, but we kept fighting and made it to state. No one thought we would have done that,” said Hunter Henkelman.

Looking Toward the State Tournament

This victory marks Albany’s third trip to the state tournament in the last four seasons. The program has faced stiff competition in recent years, suffering a defeat to Stewartville in the 2024 Class 3A Semifinal and falling to Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton during the 2023 state quarterfinals. The team’s ability to rally despite significant personnel turnover throughout the season remains a point of pride for the players.

The path forward is now set. Albany joins a list of Class 3A sectional champions that includes Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Dassel-Cokato, Waseca, St. Croix, Annandale, Pierz, and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. The state quarterfinal matchups are scheduled for November 13 and November 14, with games hosted at Monticello High School, Alexandria High School, New Prague High School, and Apple Valley High School.

For Habben, the transition back to the starting role was as much about trust as it was about physical readiness. “It was unexpected, [but] I was ready,” Habben noted. “I love Emmett; he’s a great quarterback and he had a couple of huge deflections [on defense].” As the team prepares for the next round, the focus remains on the collective effort that pulled them back from the brink against New London-Spicer.

Cohen habben, josie dingmann, isabella schiffler and thatcher van

“If we keep rallying together, we can do whatever we want,” Habben said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Worth a look

Read next